Triple positive DCIS...should I remove my ovaries?

I did not have "in situ" BC. Surgical menopause is harsh and irreversible it may affect your bone health and your heart. Think long and hard, weigh your risks and benefits from this. I have been without my ovaries for a year and my vagina is as dry as a Sahara, it has affected my mood and sleep s well. But I am also stage III and BRCA1+ so I had no choice. With DCIS and LCIS it is not commonplace to recommend removing the ovaries unless something else is going on as well. Do you have some other gynecological issues that warrant removal of the ovaries?

Are you on Tamoxifen? Why doesn't your oncologist think that's enough? I was diagnosed with triple positive IDC at Stage IIIA. I am having my ovulation suppressed through monthly Zoladex shots. This allows me to take Aromasin, another "estrogen sucking drug." I asked my OB/GYN about having my ovaries out. His feeling was that I should keep them if I could tolerate the Zoladex. Studies show that women who keep their ovaries live longer than women who don't. Zoladex is OK; I get my shot and get my port flushed (want to keep my port "just in case"). It takes about 10 minutes.

Best wishes to you; hope you can figure out what's best to you.

I agree with lisa-e. Talk to an oncologist about this. If the onc does think your ovaries are a problem, at your age I would think suppression with zoladex or lupron for a few years would be an alternative to surgery. And it is reversible.

Hi Tami, you should probably speak with an oncology gynaecologist. I've had an ovarian cyst for a year that has not resolved and have to decide if I want it removed. This is who is following me and I was referred to her by my oncologist. It's a very hard decision as ovaries still produce estrogen and androgens, although very small amounts, after menopause. I'm trying to research as much as I can before making my decision and have an apt to discuss all my concerns on wed. Wishing you the best with this decision.

Tamiami, I would find a medical oncologist to discuss this issue with, or possibly as slv58 suggests, a gynecologic oncologist.

Tami I will update you, although our situations are unique to us so please keep that in mind. I do know my regular gynaecologist told me that the latest studies (I believe it's called the Parker study) showed that women who keep their ovaries have better quality of life, live longer and have less incidence of heart disease, osteoarthritis and for some reason which their not sure why, lung cancer. I've also read that they aren't exactly sure what role androgens play in post menopausal women but know it is tied to happiness and sexual function. Based on this I would love to keep both ovaries however ovarian cancer is extremely hard to detect early and although my Gynacology oncologist feels there is a slim chance my ovarian cyst is malignant, she can't garantee it. I've been watched by vaginal ultrasound which is suppose to be the best diagnostic tool and at one point they thought it was a Fallopian tube cyst. If they can't tell the difference between an ovary and Fallopian tube, how am I to feel confident that they can tell my thinly septated cyst isn't malignant? Im triple negative so our situations are different, but I think it's important that you research as much as you can before you decide. 

Hugs, Shari